EP3760796A1 - Actuating device with user recognition - Google Patents

Abstract

An actuating device (1) for a sanitary fitting (2) for the purpose of triggering a function when a user is recognized comprises a housing (3) with a side surface (5) which extends essentially in the horizontal direction in the installed position, and one at least partially in the housing (3) arranged sensor unit (6), in particular an optoelectronic sensor unit (6), with a transmitter (7) for emitting light waves (L7) and a receiver (8) for detecting the light waves (L8) reflected by a user In the area of the side surface (5) or in the side surface (5) a transmission area (9) is arranged, through which the light waves (L7) can be emitted or the reflected light waves (L8) can be received, and the actuating device (1) also has an optical unit (10), the optical unit (10) being designed and arranged in such a way that the light waves (L7) can be coupled from the transmitter into the optical unit (10) and from the optical unit (10) in an angle (α) in the range from 5 ° to 30 °, in particular from 10 ° to 25 °, to the horizontal, seen through the transmission region (9), and wherein the reflected light waves (L8) at an angle (α) the same angle (β) can be coupled into the optical unit (10) through the transmission area (9) and can be coupled out to the receiver (8).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an actuating device with user recognition according to the preamble of claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

Operating panels for user identification have become known from the prior art. For example, the EP 3 031 989 such an actuator plate, wherein sensors are arranged in a housing.

The EP 2 497 868 discloses a further device for the electrical triggering of a water discharge, the sensors monitoring the space in front of the device over certain areas in the front surface. The device according to the EP 2 497 868 provides an efficient release device, but has the disadvantage that the manufacturing process for the front panel is very complex.

The practical use of such actuator plates has shown that the functional reliability can be largely dependent on the installation situation. In addition, incorrect actuations often occur because people are detected who merely walk past the device and are not interested in triggering it. There are unwanted ghost flushes.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying an actuating device with user recognition for the purpose of triggering a function which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. A It is a particularly preferred object to specify an actuating device which allows more reliable user identification.

This object is achieved by an actuating device for a sanitary fitting for the purpose of triggering a function when the user is recognized. Accordingly, an actuating device according to the invention comprises a housing with a side surface that extends essentially in the horizontal direction when installed, and one at least partially in the housing arranged sensor unit with a transmitter for emitting light waves and a receiver for detecting the light waves reflected by a user. The sensor unit is preferably an optoelectronic sensor unit. The light waves emitted by the transmitter are reflected by the user when they hit the user and can be received again by the receiver. In the area of the side surface or in the side surface, a transmission area is arranged through which the light waves can be emitted or the reflected light waves can be received. The actuating device also has an optical unit which is also at least partially arranged in the housing. The optics unit is designed and arranged in such a way that the light waves from the transmitter can be coupled into the optics unit and can be decoupled from the optics unit at an angle in the range from 5 ° to 30 °, in particular from 10 ° to 25 °, viewed horizontally through the transmission area. The reflected light waves can be coupled into the optical unit through the transmission area at an angle equal to the said angle and can be coupled out to the receiver.

The arrangement of the optical unit has the advantage that the light waves can be transmitted or received at a comparatively flat angle to the horizontal over the side surface. The accuracy in recognizing users can be greatly improved by this beam path. Due to the improved recognition of the user, incorrect triggering of the function on the sanitary fitting can be avoided.

The design of the actuating device according to the above description has the further advantage that the radiating area is placed on the sanitary fitting in such a way that it cannot be viewed directly during normal use when a user is standing in front of the sanitary fitting. This makes the sanitary fitting safer from acts of vandalism educated.

In addition, the arrangement of the sensor unit in the interior of the housing is facilitated.

• Verschmutzung: Der Durchstrahlbereich in der Seitenfläche ist besser gegen Wasserspritzer, Fingerabdrücke etc. geschützt.
• Designfreiheit: Durch die Anordnung des Durchstrahlbereichs in der Seitenfläche kann eine Frontfläche des Gehäuses ohne Restriktionen gestaltet werden. Beispielsweise können Oberflächen mit unterschiedlichsten Materialisierung, wie Holz, Stein, Edelstahl, Glas, etc. eingesetzt werden, ohne dass die Funktionsweise negativ beeinflusst werden würde.

The arrangement of the irradiation area in the side surface offers further advantages:

• Soiling: The radiating area in the side surface is better protected against water splashes, fingerprints, etc.
• Freedom of design: By arranging the radiating area in the side surface, a front surface of the housing can be designed without restrictions. For example, surfaces with a wide variety of materials, such as wood, stone, stainless steel, glass, etc., can be used without adversely affecting the functionality.

The expression “housing” is understood to mean a structure which at least partially surrounds the elements of the actuating device. The housing can be an integral part of a sanitary fitting or it can be arranged separately from the sanitary fitting. The housing can be a housing that is visible to the user. The housing can, however, also comprise housing parts that cannot be seen by the user during normal use. An example of such housing parts is, for example, a frame mounted below the visible housing, which, if it represents an obstacle for the light waves, is also designed with a transmission area.

In addition to the side surface, the housing preferably comprises a front surface. The side surface extends away from the front surface essentially in the direction of the surface normal of the front surface. In the installed position, the surface of the front face is preferably in a vertical plane. With regard to the optics unit, it can also be said that the optics unit is designed and arranged such that the light waves from the transmitter can be coupled into the optics unit and from the optics unit at an angle in the range from 5 ° to 30 °, in particular from 10 ° to 25 ° , can be decoupled through the irradiation area, seen to the surface normal of the front surface.

The expression "actuating device" is understood to mean a device which is used to trigger a sanitary function on a sanitary fitting. For example, the actuating device can be an actuating plate for triggering a flush on a toilet or urinal. The actuating device can also be a plate of an outlet fitting or a housing for a shower toilet or another sanitary device. The actuating device can be designed as an actual actuating plate. Alternatively, the actuating device can also be an integral part of the sanitary fitting or another element that is used in a bathroom, such as a mirror cabinet, etc., for example.

The expression “sanitary fitting” is understood to mean any sanitary fitting which is used in a bathroom. For example, a urinal, a toilet, a bidet, an outlet fitting, a shower head, etc. may be mentioned.

If the actuating device is designed as an actuating plate, the housing is a rectangle or a square when viewed in the direction of the surface normal to the front surface, a side surface extending from the front surface in the direction of the surface normal from the edge of the rectangle or square, the transmission area in Area of the side surface is arranged. The extension of the side surface in the direction of the surface normal is preferably a multiple smaller than the extension of the front surface transversely to the surface normal.

For user recognition, depending on the design of the sensor unit, the distance between the actuating device and the user to be recognized is preferably determined by means of triangulation. This means that a triangulation process is used to evaluate the transmitted and received light waves. However, other evaluation methods, such as a time-of-flight method, are also conceivable.

The optical unit is preferably designed with a transmitter area for forwarding the light waves emitted by the transmitter and with a receiver area for forwarding the reflected light waves to the receiver. The transmitter area has a coupling-in surface for coupling the light waves from the transmitter into the transmitter area and a coupling-out surface for coupling the light waves out of the transmitter area. The Receiver area has a coupling-in surface for coupling in reflected light waves and a coupling-out surface for coupling out light waves from the receiver area to the receiver.

The coupling-out area of the transmission area and the coupling-in area of the receiver area are preferably located in the transmission area of the side area. This means that the light waves of the transmitter from the interior of the housing are guided outwards through the transmission area in the side surface and that the reflected light waves are guided inwards through the transmission area in the side surface.

According to a first variant, the optical unit preferably comprises at least one optical prism with a reflection surface, the light waves or the light waves reflected by the user being totally reflected on the reflection surface. The optical prism provides a very simple means of deflecting the light beams according to the angles described above. The optical unit according to a second variant comprises a mirror with a reflective surface, the light waves or the light waves reflected by the user being totally reflected on the reflective surface. The reflection surface of the prism and mirror is preferably inclined at an angle to the horizontal and to the vertical. The angle depends on the arrangement of the transmitter and receiver.

With regard to the design of the transmitter area and the receiver area on the optical unit or on the optical prism, various variants are conceivable, which will be described below.

In a first variant, the transmitter area and the receiver area are implemented on a single optical unit. This variant has the advantage of a simple structure.

In a second variant, the transmitter area and the receiver area are implemented on a single optical unit with an opaque separating layer. The opaque separating layer is made opaque for the light waves. With this design, crosstalk from the transmitter area into the receiver area and vice versa can largely be avoided will.

In a third variant, the transmitter area and the receiver area are implemented on one of two optical units arranged separately from one another. Dividing it into two different optical units has the advantage of greater freedom of design.

The decoupling surface of the transmitter area, via which the light beam is decoupled from the transmitter, is preferably provided with at least one surface structure. The surface structure is designed in such a way that reflection losses can be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling surface of the receiver area, via which the reflected light beam is coupled in, is provided with at least one surface structure which is designed in such a way that reflection losses can be reduced.

By means of the surface structure mentioned, the coupling-out surface or the coupling-in surface can be optimized in such a way that flatter angles can be achieved because total reflection can be avoided by the surface structure.

The surface structure can be designed in various ways. Three particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail below.

According to a first embodiment, the surface structure is an anti-reflection coating, the anti-reflection coating having at least one dielectric layer or a plurality of dielectric layers lying one above the other.

According to a second embodiment, the surface structure is a diffractive layer, the diffractive layer preferably consisting of a periodic grating, the grating spacing being in the range from 75 to 125 nanometers, in particular 100 nanometers.

According to a third embodiment, the surface structure has a lens structure, the lens structure preferably being provided by Fresnel lenses with steps will.

The steps are preferably arranged in such a way that the individual steps cannot be shaded.

In a preferred further development of the third embodiment, the lens structure is coated with an anti-reflection coating, the anti-reflection coating having at least one dielectric layer or a plurality of dielectric layers lying one above the other. In a further preferred development of the third embodiment, the lens structure can be coated with a diffractive layer, the diffractive layer preferably consisting of a periodic grid, the grid spacing being in the range from 75 to 125 nanometers, in particular 100 nanometers.

In a first variant, the transmission area is provided by an opening in the side surface, the coupling-out area of the transmitter area or the coupling-in area of the receiver area being essentially flush with the side area in which the opening is arranged.

In a second variant, the transmission area is provided by a partial area in the side surface that is transparent for the light beam from the transmitter and for the reflected light beam. The coupling-out surface of the transmitter area or the coupling-in surface of the receiver area then lie behind the transparent sub-area when viewed from outside the housing.

In both variants, the irradiation area lies in a side face of the housing, as explained at the beginning.

When viewed in the installation position, the irradiation area is preferably located on the side surface of the housing which is oriented downwards.

The optoelectronic sensor unit is preferably an infrared sensor with an infrared transmitter and infrared receiver, the wavelength of the light waves in the range from 780 to 1000 nanometers. If other optoelectronic sensor units are used, the wavelength range of the light waves can be in the range from 400 to 1550 nanometers.

An arrangement comprises an actuating device according to the above description and a sanitary fitting, the irradiation area being directed towards the sanitary fitting in the installed position; and / or wherein the radiation area is directed downwards in the installed position. Downwards in this context means against the floor, in which case the light waves can then be emitted at a flat angle to the horizontal as described above.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Einbausituation einer Ausführungsform der Betätigungsvorrichtung mit einer Variante einer Sanitärarmatur;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht der Betätigungsvorrichtung gemäss der Figur 1 von unten;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Schnittansicht der Betätigungsvorrichtung gemäss der Figur 1 mit der Sendereinheit;

Fig. 3b

eine schematische Schnittansicht der Betätigungsvorrichtung gemäss der Figur 1 mit der Empfängereinheit;

Fig. 4a

eine erste Weiterbildung der Betätigungsvorrichtung nach den vorhergehenden Figuren;

Fig. 4b

eine zweite Weiterbildung der Betätigungsvorrichtung nach den vorhergehenden Figuren; und

Fig. 4c

eine dritte Weiterbildung der Betätigungsvorrichtung nach den vorhergehenden Figuren.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are only used for explanation and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of an installation situation of an embodiment of the actuating device with a variant of a sanitary fitting;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of the actuating device according to FIG Figure 1 from underneath;

Fig. 3a

a schematic sectional view of the actuating device according to FIG Figure 1 with the transmitter unit;

Figure 3b

a schematic sectional view of the actuating device according to FIG Figure 1 with the receiver unit;

Figure 4a

a first further development of the actuating device according to the preceding figures;

Figure 4b

a second development of the actuating device according to the preceding figures; and

Figure 4c

a third development of the actuating device according to the preceding figures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figure 1 a schematic view of a bathroom is shown. An actuating device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is arranged in the bathroom. A function on a sanitary fitting 2 can be triggered with the actuating device 1. In the embodiment shown, the sanitary fitting 2 is a toilet and the function triggered by the actuating device 1 is to flush the toilet. As mentioned below, the actuation device 1 is designed in such a way that light waves L7 are emitted by a transmitter 7 and the light waves L8 reflected by a user can be detected again by a receiver 8. As a result, the user can be recognized as such and the function can be triggered, or the distance to the user can be measured so that the distance from the sanitary fitting 2 can be determined, the function then being triggered based on the distance.

In the Figure 2 a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of transmitter 7 and receiver 8 is shown. The transmitter 7 and the receiver 8 are arranged such that the light waves L7 from the transmitter 7 and the light waves L8 from the receiver 8 are transmitted or received via a side surface 5 of the actuating device 1. In the embodiment shown, the side surface 5 lies horizontally and is directed towards the sanitary fitting 2. The light waves L7, L8, as described in detail below, are emitted at a flat angle at an angle to the surface normal F of the front surface 4 of the housing 3.

With reference to the Figures 2 and 3a and FIG. 3b, the actuating device 1 will now be described in more detail.

As mentioned, the housing 3 comprises a front surface 4 and a side surface 5. The side surface 5 of the housing 3 extends, as shown in the figures, in the direction of the surface normal F of the front surface 4 away from the front surface 4. The side surface 5 extends away from each side edge 21 of the front surface 4 towards the rear. In the installed position, the side surfaces 5 are exposed. That is, the side surfaces 5 are not covered by parts of the building such as masonry, tiles, etc. The front surface 4 is preferably designed to be optically opaque.

The actuating device 1 further comprises a sensor unit 6 which is arranged at least partially in the housing 3 and has a transmitter 7 for emitting light waves L7 and a receiver 8 for detecting the light waves L8 reflected by a user. In the Figure 3a the transmitter 7 and the beam path of the light waves L7 from the transmitter 7 out of the housing 3 are shown. In the Figure 3b the receiver 8 and the beam path of the light waves L8 in the housing 3 to the receiver 8 is shown.

In the area of the side surface 5 or in the side surface 5 itself, there is a transmission area 9 through which the light waves L7 can be emitted or through which the reflected light waves L8 can be received. The corresponding light waves L7, L8 can be sent out of or into the housing 3 through this transmission region 9.

Of the Figures 3a and 3b it is shown that the actuating device 1 furthermore has an optical unit 10. The optics unit 10 is designed and arranged in such a way that the light waves L7 from the transmitter can be coupled into the optics unit 10 and can be decoupled from the optics unit 10 at an angle α to the surface normal F of the front surface 4 through the transmission area 9. Furthermore, the optics unit 10 is designed and arranged in such a way that the light waves L8 can be coupled into the optics unit 10 at an angle β at an angle to the surface normal F of the front surface 4 and can be decoupled from the optics unit 10 to the receiver 8. The angle α and the angle β are preferably in the range from 5 ° to 30 °, in particular in the range from 10 ° to 25 °, to the surface normal F of the front surface 4.

Inside the housing 3, the light waves L7, L8 are guided again in the direction of the normal F to the surface. In other variants it would also be conceivable to guide the light waves L7, L8 in a different direction, in particular at an angle to the normal F to the surface.

The front surface 4 is typically in the vertical, seen in the installed position, and the surface normal F accordingly lies in the horizontal H. The angle α or the angle β extends from the horizontal H essentially downwards.

The optical unit 10 comprises a transmitter area 11 and a receiver area 12. From the transmitter 7, the light waves L7 are coupled into a coupling surface 11a in the transmitter area 11 and the light waves L7 are coupled out again from the transmitter area 11 via an output surface 11b. The receiver area 12 is essentially identical to the transmitter area 11. The receiver region 12 has a coupling-in surface 12a for coupling in the reflected light waves L8 and a coupling-out surface 12b for coupling out the light waves L8 from the receiver region 12 to the receiver 8.

The coupling-out surface 11b of the transmitter area 11 and the coupling-in surface 12a of the receiver area 12 are in the transmission area 9 of the side surface 5. The coupling-out surface 11b and the coupling-in surface 12a are so that the light waves L7 and L8 can be coupled out or coupled in in the direction described above. The transmission area is preferably an opening 21 in the side surface 5. That is to say, the decoupling area 11b of the transmitter area 11 or the coupling area 12a of the receiver area 12 lie in the opening 21. The coupling-out surface 11b and the coupling-in surface 12a are particularly preferably flush with the side surface 5. In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the irradiation area can also be provided by a transparent partial area in the side surface 5.

The transmitter area 11 and the receiver area 12 can be implemented on a single optical unit 10 or on two optical units 10 arranged separately from one another. In the case of the single optical unit 10, it is also conceivable that the transmitter area 11 and the receiver area 12 are separated from one another by an opaque separating layer. This can prevent crosstalk between the transmitter area 11 and the receiver area 12.

In the embodiment shown, the optical unit 10 is an optical prism 13 with a reflective surface 14. The transmitter area 11 and the receiver area 12 can be arranged on the same prism or on different prisms. As of the Figures 3a and 3b As shown, the light waves L7 or the light waves L8 of the reflection surface 14 reflected by the user are totally reflected. In the embodiment shown, the light waves L7 impinge on the coupling surface 11a of the transmitter area 11 in the direction of the surface normal F from the transmitter 7 and are reflected accordingly by the reflection surface 14. The light waves L7 are then coupled out again via the coupling-out surface 11b of the transmitter area 11 of the optical prism 13. The coupling out takes place at the angle α described above. The light waves L8 impinge on the coupling surface 12b in the direction of the angle b and are coupled into the optical prism 13. The light waves L8 are totally reflected at the reflection surface 14 and then coupled out in the direction of the surface normal F from the coupling-out surface 12b to the receiver 8.

Instead of an optical prism, the optical unit can also comprise other optical elements which deflect the light waves L7, L8 accordingly.

The decoupling surface 11b of the transmitter area 11, via which the light beam L7 is decoupled from the transmitter 7, can, as from the Figures 4a to 4c be provided with at least one surface structure 15. In the same way, the coupling surface 12a of the receiver area 12, via which the reflected light beam L8 is coupled, can also be provided with at least one surface structure 15. The surface structures 15 are designed in such a way that reflection losses can be reduced. Three different embodiments of the surface structure 15 are explained in more detail below, these embodiments being usable both for the coupling-out area 11b of the transmitter area and for the coupling-in area 12a of the receiver area 12.

In the Figure 4a the surface structure 15 is shown according to a first embodiment. According to this first embodiment, the surface structure 15 is an anti-reflection coating 16. The anti-reflection coating 16 is preferably at least one or a plurality of dielectric layers lying one above the other. The reflection behavior in the region of the coupling-out surface 11a or the coupling-in surface 12a can be improved via such layers. As a result, the smallest possible angle α is achieved.

According to the second embodiment of Figure 4b the surface structure 15 is a diffractive layer 17. The diffractive layer 17 preferably consists of a periodic grating. The grid spacing in the periodic grid is in the range from 75 to 125 nanometers, in particular 100 nanometers. The diffractive layer 17 also has the advantage that the smallest possible angle α can be achieved.

In the Figure 4b a third embodiment of the surface structure 15 is shown. Here the surface structure 15 is a lens structure 18. The lens structure 18 is preferably provided with Fresnel lenses 19 with corresponding steps 20. The steps 20 are designed in such a way that the light beam can emerge several times from each lens, the individual Fresnel lenses 19 not shading each other.

The lens structure 18 can furthermore be coated with the antireflection coating 16 according to the first embodiment or else with a diffractive layer 17 according to the second embodiment. As a result, the exit results of the light waves L7 or the entry results of the light waves L8 can be further improved.

The optoelectronic sensor unit 6 is preferably an infrared sensor with an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver. The infrared transmitter is the transmitter 7 mentioned here and the infrared receiver is the receiver 8 mentioned here. Other electronic sensors are also possible. REFERENCE LIST 1 Actuator 17th diffractive layer 2 Plumbing fixture 18th Lens structure 3 casing 19th Fresnel lenses 4th Front surface 20th stages 5 Side face 21st Side edge 6th Sensor unit 7th Channel α angle 8th receiver β angle 9 Transmission area 10 Optical unit F. Surface normals 11 Transmitter range H horizontal 11a Coupling surface 11b Decoupling surface L7 Light waves from the transmitter 12 Recipient area L8 Light waves to the receiver 12a Coupling surface 12b Decoupling surface 13 optical prism 14th Reflective surface 15th Surface structure 16 Anti-reflective coating

Claims (14)

Operating device (1) for a sanitary fitting (2) for the purpose of triggering a function when the user is recognized
a housing (3) with a side surface (5) which in the installed position extends essentially in the horizontal direction,
and
a sensor unit (6) arranged at least partially in the housing (3), in particular an optoelectronic sensor unit (6), with a transmitter (7) for emitting light waves (L7) and a receiver (8) for detecting the light waves reflected by a user ( L8),
characterized,
that in the area of the side surface (5) or in the side surface (5) a transmission area (9) is arranged through which the light waves (L7) can be emitted or the reflected light waves (L8) can be received, and
that the actuating device (1) furthermore has an optical unit (10),
wherein the optical unit (10) is designed and arranged in such a way that the light waves (L7) from the transmitter can be coupled into the optical unit (10) and from the optical unit (10) at an angle (α) in the range of 5 ° to 30 °, in particular from 10 ° to 25 °, viewed to the horizontal, can be decoupled through the radiation area (9),
wherein the reflected light waves (L8) can be coupled into the optical unit (10) through the transmission area (9) and can be coupled out to the receiver (8) at an angle (β) equal to said angle (α). Actuating device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the optical unit (10) has a transmitter area (11) for forwarding the light waves (L7) emitted by the transmitter (7) and with a receiver area (12) for forwarding the reflected light waves (L8 ) is designed to the receiver (8),
wherein the transmitter area (11) has a coupling-in area (11a) for coupling the light waves (L7) from the transmitter (7) into the transmitter area (11) and a decoupling area (11b) for decoupling the light waves from the transmitter area (11), and
wherein the receiver area (12) has a coupling surface (12a) for coupling in reflected light waves (L8) and a decoupling surface (12b) for coupling out light waves (L8) from the receiver area (12) to the receiver (8). Actuating device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the decoupling surface (11b) of the transmitting area (11) and the coupling surface (12a) of the receiving area (12) lie in the transmission area (9) of the side surface (5). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical unit (10) comprises at least one optical prism (13) with a reflective surface (14), wherein the light waves (L7) or the from the reflective surface (14) User reflected light waves (L8) are totally reflected; or that the optical unit (10) comprises a mirror with a reflective surface (14), the light waves (L7) or the light waves (L8) reflected by the user being totally reflected on the reflective surface (14). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitter area (11) and the receiver area (12) are implemented on a single optical unit (10); or that the transmitter area (11) and the receiver area (12) are realized on a single optical unit (10) with an opaque separating layer between the transmitter area (11) and the receiver area (12); or that the transmitter area (11) and the receiver area (12) are implemented in each case on one of two optical units (10) arranged separately from one another. Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decoupling surface (11b) of the transmitter area (11), via which the light beam (L7) is decoupled from the transmitter (7), is provided with at least one surface structure (15), which is designed such that reflection losses can be reduced; and / or that the coupling surface (12a) of the receiver area (12), via which the reflected light beam (L8) is coupled in, is provided with at least one surface structure (15) which is designed in such a way that reflection losses can be reduced. Actuating device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the surface structure (15) is an anti-reflection coating (16), the anti-reflection coating (16) having at least one dielectric layer or several dielectric layers lying one above the other. Actuating device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the surface structure (15) is a diffractive layer (17), the diffractive layer (17) preferably consisting of a periodic grating, the grating spacing in the range from 75 to 125 nanometers, in particular is 100 nanometers. Actuating device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the surface structure (15) has a lens structure (18), the lens structure (18) preferably being provided by Fresnel lenses (19) with steps (20). Actuating device (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the lens structure (18) is coated with an anti-reflective coating (16), the anti-reflective coating (16) having at least one dielectric layer or several dielectric layers lying one above the other; and / or that the lens structure (18) is coated with a diffractive layer (17), the diffractive layer (17) preferably consisting of a periodic grid, the grid spacing being in the range of 75 to 125 nanometers, in particular 100 nanometers. Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the transmission area (9) is provided by an opening (21) in the side surface (5), the decoupling surface (11b) of the transmitter area (11) and / or the coupling surface (12a) of the receiver area (12) being essentially flush with the side surface (5) in which the opening (21) is arranged; or
that the transmission area (9) is provided by a partial area in the side surface (5) which is transparent for the light beam (L7) from the transmitter and for the reflected light beam (L8). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiation area (9), viewed in the installation position, lies on the side surface (5) which is oriented downwards. Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optoelectronic sensor unit (6) is an infrared sensor with an infrared transmitter and infrared receiver, the wavelength of the light waves being in the range from 780 to 1000 nanometers. Arrangement comprising an actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a sanitary fitting (2), the irradiation area (9) being directed towards the sanitary fitting (2) in the installed position.

Images